onger."

He immediately purchased a ticket, and took the next train
homeward. He arrived in Boston at mid-day.

He went at once to the store, and was cordially welcomed by the
bookkeeper.

"I am glad to see you, Ben," said the young man. "My uncle is
well pleased with the orders you have sent home."

"Then he is satisfied with me?"

"I leave him to tell you that. You can go at once into the
countingroom."

Ben reported himself as directed.

"Welcome back, Ben," said the old gentleman. "Have you just
arrived?"

"I reached the station twenty minuets ago, sir."

"And came directly to the store; I like that. How do you like
drumming?"

"It requires patience, sir; but I like it. I hope you are satisfied
with me."

"You have exceeded my anticipations. To be candid with you,
I doubted the expedience of sending so young a representative."

"I know that, sir, and it made me work harder."

"I should have no hesitation in sending you again. In fact, I shall
probably send you next month to New York and Philadelphia."

"I should like that very much, sir," said Ben, his eyes sparkling.
"I shall try to satisfy you."

"I think you will," said his employer kindly. "I never doubted your
fidelity. Now I feel assured of your capacity and tact. Have you
any orders not yet reported?"

"Two or three small ones, sir."

"Give them to me."

This done, Mr. Porter dismissed Ben for the day. "You need
not report for work till to-morrow morning."

Ben was glad to go to his boarding-house. On arriving there
he received another cordial greeting, this time from Mr.
Benton. The old gentleman seemed really delighted to see him,
and eager to learn what he had accomplished. Ben began to
speak of the orders he had received; but Mr. Benton interrupted
him.

"I don't mean that," he said. "I want to hear about your own
affairs. Did you see Mr. Brief the lawyer?"

"Yes, sir."

"How did you like him?"

"Not at all, at first, but better before we parted."

"How was that?" asked Mr. Benton, showing some curiosity.

At first he insisted strongly on the claim the estate has against
my aunt; but after awhile he said he should not press the matter
at present, and recommended us to look for Uncle Matthew's
letter.

"You have searched for it, have you not?" asked Mr. Benton.

"Yes, sir; but so far without success. Still I haven't given up all
hope of finding it. My motto is, 'Wait and Hope.'"

"I think it will